by Charles Alcock, AIN
The second flight-test vehicle (FTV2) for Bombardier’s new Global 7000 program achieved its first flight on Saturday. In a statement issued this morning, the Canadian airframer said that the Global 7000, for which development work was delayed by two years, remains on track to meet its revised entry-into-service target in the second half of 2018. This follows the maiden flight of the first flight-test vehicle (FTV1) in November.

FTV2, which Bombardier has dubbed “The Powerhouse,” is being used to test aircraft systems, including propulsion, electrical and mechanical systems. Taking off at 10:50 a.m., the aircraft flew for 4 hours and 28 minutes on March 4, and then took to the air again yesterday, according to FlightAware. Bombardier is working on securing a permit for a ferry flight to get the aircraft to its flight-test center in Wichita.

At the controls for the first flight were captain Jeff Karnes, copilot J.R. Marcolesco and flight-test engineer Ben Povall. They tested FTV2’s performance at high altitude by climbing to 43,000 feet.

“We now have a flight-test vehicle dedicated to testing the aircraft’s systems,” explained François Caza, Bombardier’s product development vice president and chief engineer. “Data from FTV2 will supplement the successful results we have already obtained from the test rigs, including the integrated systems test and certification rig and, from the extensive flight testing of FTV1 to date. We are on track with our test program and we are very pleased with the progression and performance of our flight-test vehicles to date. The dedication and collaboration of our teams have shown were critical in achieving this significant milestone.”

The Global 7000 will offer range of up to 7,400 nm carrying eight passengers and cruising at Mach 0.85, allowing for nonstop flights such as London to Singapore and Dubai to New York City. High-speed cruise will be Mach 0.925.

Bombardier’s sales team spent yesterday notifying holders of purchase agreement for the Global 7000 about the latest flight-test breakthrough